STORM RECOVERY INFORMATION AND RESOURCES
Wednesday, November 30, 2022
STAY CONNECTED
(NEW) BEACH CLEAN UP WITH "KEEP LEE COUNTY BEAUTIFUL" THIS SATURDAY – VOLUNTEER
CARPOOLING IS ENCOURAGED. We will be cleaning the southern end of Fort Myers Beach with a focus of the CWA (Critical Wildlife Area). Parking will be in multiple condo parking lots where ONLY REGISTERED VOLUNTEERS WILL BE PERMITTED TO PARK AND WILL BE GIVEN A PARKING PASS.
Register: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/805094aaaaa2ca4f49-fort
Details: Saturday, Dec. 3, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
For parking details, click here
BUILDING SERVICES
If you have questions about the inspection, permitting, and rebuilding processes, FEMA’s 50% rule, or other building and permitting topics, please visit the Building Services page at www.fmbgov.com.
(NEW) COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTERS
The Community Resource Centers at Beach Baptist Church (130 Connecticut Street) and Santini Plaza (7205 Estero Boulevard) have restrooms, laundry and showers 24 hours a day, seven days a week, as well as ice and water. At Santini, staff are available seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to hand out canned food, supplies or give information. At Beach Baptist Church, staff are available Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., to hand out supplies or give information. Warm meals are available at Baptist Church: lunch 11:30-1:30 and dinner 4:30-5:30
CURFEW
Curfew hours for Matanzas Pass Bridge on the north end of Estero Island have been changed to 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. For the Big Carlos Pass Bridge on the south end, residents can use the new 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew, but contractors need to adhere to the 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. curfew. Residents should be prepared to show proof of residency if they are traveling on and off the Island during the curfew hours.
DEBRIS REMOVAL AND HOUSING ASSISTANCE
APPLY for debris removal services on your property at iandebriscleanup.com
- Gov. DeSantis has developed the “Unite Florida Portal” for state sheltering and housing assistance. People must be registered with FEMA for individual assistance at https://www.disasterassistance.gov/. The deadline was just extended to January 12 but this new portal is a way to connect residents with additional resources. The portal is at: https://ianrecovery.fl.gov/ and the news release about the portal can be found here: https://www.flgov.com/2022/11/21/governor-ron-desantis-announces-unite-florida-portal-for-state-sheltering-and-housing-assistance/
- The state launched awhile ago https://iandebriscleanup.com/ to help with property cleanup, be it a vessel or mobile home, or commercial or private property. View the fact sheet: https://iandebriscleanup.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/FDEM_Info-Sheet_11.15.22.pdf
- Lee County has launched a new Hurricane Ian Debris website to better provide information to residents. Visit www.leegov.com/debris
- Public drop-off sites for storm debris are open through December 21 at the San Carlos Utility Site, 18078 Cypress Point Road, Fort Myers and the Shell Factory, 2805 N. Tamiami Trail, North Fort Myers
FEMA DISASTER RECOVERY CENTER
Beach Baptist Church houses the Disaster Recovery Center and is open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Representatives are on site during these hours to help with questions or paperwork. You can also call 1-800-621-3362 or visit DisasterAssistance.gov
(NEW) FEMA IS SEEKING MULTIFAMILY PROPERTIES
FEMA is requesting information from owners of multifamily properties that can be repaired to local, state and federal standards and be offered as temporary housing to survivors of Hurricane Ian. Click here for details.
HOUSEHOLD WASTE PICKUP
The landfills designated for Hurricane Ian debris cannot accept household waste. Place household waste in a trash can. Bagged material will be picked up if separated from debris. Put bagged household waste in a separate pile at the end of your driveway away from storm debris. Household waste is picked up every Thursday morning (weather dependent). Recycling began Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2022.
HURRICANE RECOVERY RESOURCES ON TOWN WEBSITE – www.fmbgov.com
For a complete list of recovery resources, go to the light blue sand dollar, “Hurricane Recovery Resources” on the homepage of the Town’s website at www.fmbgov.com.
PERMIT FEES WAIVED FOR 90 DAYS
Town Council voted last week to waive permit fees relating to work necessitated by Hurricane Ian. This will be allowed for those who have received approval for building permits up to 90 days since Hurricane Ian, which will run through December 27.
POWER RESTORATION
Residents must have an inspection from a Florida-licensed structural engineer and a Florida-licensed electrician for power to be turned on. Email inspection reports along with the property address and the contractor’s Florida license number to buildingpermits@fmbgov.com.
PRECAUTIONARY SWIM ADVISORY
The Florida Department of Health in Lee County (DOH-Lee) has issued a county wide swim advisory for all public beaches and swimming pools due to the possible increase of waterborne illnesses. At this time, swimming is not recommended, nor is any contact with standing water.
SAND REMOVAL
Sand is considered debris. However, it is a resource that the Town wants to conserve to restore beaches. Keep sand debris separate from other types of debris as you stage it. For more information visit https://www.fortmyersbeachfl.gov/1250/Hurricane-Ian-Resources.
TEMPORARY USE PERMIT
To expedite the rebuilding process for property and business owners, registration is available for recreational vehicles, mobile homes, trailers, retail stores, or food trucks to be used on your property. Fill out the form: https://fortmyersbeachfl.gov/1253/Temporary-Use-Permit
TOWN MANAGER - INTERIM
Town Council voted to approve H2 Solutions represented by Chris Holley and his counterpart Keith Wilkins as Interim Town Managers after the resignation of Roger Hernstadt.
WATER RESTORATION
There are no issues with the sewer system. To have water service restored to your home, contact Utilities at utilities@fmbgov.com. You MUST be present when water is restored should any issues arise. Please do not turn off any sewer pumps on the Island. Lee County Utilities is running sewer on bypass pumps. If these are shut off, there could be a sewer backup into your home. We had an incident last week where someone turned off all the pumps running sewer on Estero Boulevard which caused a backup.